noun
peddler
PEHD-luh
Peddler (noun) means a person who travels around selling small goods. Example: “A peddler used to come through the village selling pots and pans.”
noun
1
A person who travels around selling small goods.
"A peddler used to come through the village selling pots and pans."
2
A drug dealer.
"Police say the peddler had been operating in the area for months."
How to use peddler
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who goes around selling things, often in small amounts — historically goods, but the word extends to drug dealers and, loosely, spreaders of false claims.
Common pairings
traveling peddler
drug peddler
peddler of lies
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Word forms
- Plural
- peddlers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ used to come through the village selling pots and pans.
Etymology
From Middle English peddere, an old word for a hawker or traveling seller of uncertain origin.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “peddler” mean?
The word “peddler” means a person who travels around selling small goods. In plain terms, someone who goes around selling things, often in small amounts — historically goods, but the word extends to drug dealers and, loosely, spreaders of false claims.
How do you pronounce “peddler”?
“Peddler” is pronounced PEHD-luh (/ˈpɛdlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “peddler” in a sentence?
Here is “peddler” used in a sentence: “A peddler used to come through the village selling pots and pans.”
What part of speech is “peddler”?
“Peddler” is a noun.
Where does the word “peddler” come from?
The word “peddler” comes from Middle English. From Middle English peddere, an old word for a hawker or traveling seller of uncertain origin.
How many meanings does “peddler” have?
“Peddler” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who travels around selling small goods.
